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Double award win for NLS Legal

NLS Legal received two awards at the Modern Law Awards 2020.

    Legal Advice Centre Doors
    NLS Legal received two awards at the Modern Law Awards 2020.

    Winning both ABS of the Year and Paralegal of the Year – awarded to Caseworker, Callum Scott - the teaching law firm sees student volunteers working on real-life cases through NLS Legal, providing a vital service to those who would not otherwise have access to justice.

    The Eclipse Proclaim Modern Law Awards celebrate and identify talent and success in entrepreneurship, market development, business management and best practice in the modern legal services arena.

    NLS Legal was the first of its kind when it was granted an ABS (Alternative Business Structure) licence to operate as a fully regulated law firm in 2015.

    Supervised by qualified solicitors, students support clients with a range of legal issues either through modules within the curriculum, or by volunteering in addition to their study. They work in areas such as employment, business support and commercial law, social justice, criminal law, family law, community legal issues and tribunal and court representation.

    NLS Legal also worked with the national charity, the Free Representation Unit (FRU), to provide pro bono representation at Social Security and Employment Tribunals.

    More than £4 million in benefits and compensation has been recovered for its clients in the last five years. During the last academic year alone, NLS Legal recovered over £1.2 million for its clients, provided over 350 opportunities for students and assisted over 300 individuals, businesses and organisations.

    Head of NLS Legal, Laura Pinkney, said: “I am delighted that both NLS Legal and Callum have been recognised in these prestigious national awards. NLS Legal takes a proactive and novel approach to access to justice whilst training, and inspiring, the legal professionals of the future.

    “I am so proud of Callum and all our brilliant staff and student volunteers for their dedication to the community and the value they bring to society. These awards are recognition of their hard work and commitment.”

    Caseworker, Callum Scott, was awarded Paralegal of the Year for his positive contribution to the reputation of Paralegals and the legal profession. Callum said: “I am honoured to have won this award on a fantastic night for NLS Legal, and for Nottingham Law School. I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of such a dedicated and inspiring team of Centre staff and student volunteers, and I have witnessed first-hand the tangible and long-lasting benefits NLS Legal’s work brings to our local communities. Whilst these awards are not the reason that we do what we do, I am delighted that NLS Legal’s achievements have been recognised on a national stage.”

    Acting Dean of Nottingham Law School, Jenny Chapman, added: “The awards champion innovation and best practice in the modern legal services arena and we are delighted that the work of NLS Legal, and Callum's outstanding contribution, has been recognised through the two awards. Callum started work with NLS Legal as a student volunteer before being appointed as a legal assistant and more recently as a caseworker, and all that know him, know that this national recognition is so well deserved.”

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      About Nottingham Trent University

      Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students. NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.

      The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

      It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook

      The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was awarded University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards 2019. A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2019 National Student Survey.

      A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2019 National Student Survey.

      NTU is also one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings.

      NTU is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.

    Published on 10 February 2020
    • Category: Press office; Nottingham Law School